Exophase (exophase.delete@this.gmail.com) on August 3, 2014 10:06 pm wrote:
> Yuhong Bao (yuhongbao_386.delete@this.hotmail.com) on August 3, 2014 2:24 pm wrote:
> > http://www.mondaynote.com/2014/08/03/macintel-the-end-is-nigh
>
> Feel like I've seen this one several times now, and he repeats a lot of the usual fallacies.
>
> Like oh, Apple is paying $300+ for CPUs because that's what Intel Ark says - no, probably not,
> just look at Acer chromebooks that cost barely more than what Ark says their CPU costs. I'm
> sure Intel gives Apple a much lower price, and will continue to negotiate as necessary to keep
> their business. And this is something Intel will be able to afford to do more and more as they
> grow their manufacturing cost advantage over Apple fabbing with Samsung or TSMC.

According to my understanding (I didn't find CPU part number on Apple web site), top-of-the-line MBP now carries i7-4980HQ. It seem probable that Apple pays $300 or even a little more for that part.
Intel Ark does not even mention the Recommended Customer Price for 4980HQ, but its li'l brethren 4950HQ and 4960HQ are listed as $623.00.